A further look into Trinity’s exchange programmes

In this issue Ria Walls discusses Erasmus with Shana Beims as she spends her second term in Belgium

Shana Beims, a third year classical civilisation and philosophy student, is currently on Erasmus for second term at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven). In the third part of this series, I spoke to Beims about her experience so far in Belgium.

Originally hailing from Germany, Beims had been to the country before, however, it was her first time in the local area of Leuven. Apart from knowing a close friend who is in Leuven for the full academic year, Beims only knew of one other Trinity student who embarked on the journey to Belgium at the same time as herself for second term. At her host university she is studying two philosophy modules. Unfortunately the university offers none of the classics modules in English, meaning that Beims has to undertake specific classes for international students that fall under the Faculty of Arts, as well as taking a Dutch language class. Despite this, she feels that the classes themselves are very organised and they are currently all in person as well as being recorded, making it “easy to incorporate a more hybrid learning experience” as well as being “very useful for maintaining a flexible schedule”.

“When discussing the application process, Beims states, ‘A thing I think everyone should know before applying to go on Erasmus is that it involves a great deal of research and organisation that one is expected to do by oneself.'”

When discussing the application process, Beims states, “​​A thing I think everyone should know before applying to go on Erasmus is that it involves a great deal of research and organisation that one is expected to do by oneself”. Similarly to students interviewed before, the responsibility of correlating modules and matching credits falls into the hands of the stressed student who is trying to find their feet in a new country. Beims also highlights the time-consuming nature of organising the travelling, accommodation, paperwork and extensive administrative work. Thankfully for Beims, she reflects on the helpful Erasmus coordinators who have guided her along the process, but not everyone is this lucky, with many students expressing the complications that come from the lack of communication between both Trinity and the host university. 

“Many would consider Trinity a microcosm in itself, and Beims compares this feeling to her experience in Leuven, stating that ‘because the city is so small it has a campus-like feeling altogether that is similar to the Trinity campus.'”

Despite the work that must be done prior to travelling, Beims states that the process is worth the Erasmus experience. She tells Trinity News: “There are always hurdles to overcome and I have had my share of problems, for instance, finding accommodation, but I think overall it is an experience that up until now has been extremely enriching”. The location of the city makes it easy to travel on excursions elsewhere; Beims has so far been to Antwerp, Brussels and Amsterdam, and has plans to travel to Ghent soon. She compares Leuven to Dublin, stating that it is much smaller than what we’re used to here at Trinity, which means that everywhere is easy and quick to access, as well as the feeling of safety that comes with a small city. Many would consider Trinity a microcosm in itself, and Beims compares this feeling to her experience in Leuven, stating that “because the city is so small it has a campus-like feeling altogether that is similar to the Trinity campus”.

“Similarly to others, she finds that the international students tend to stick together naturally, and wishes to immerse herself more in the Belgian culture before her time at Leuven ends.”

Living in a country which borders Belgium, Beims did not experience the “culture shock” that other Erasmus students have claimed to feel when they first arrived at their exchange university. Similarly to others, she finds that the international students tend to stick together naturally, and wishes to immerse herself more in the Belgian culture before her time at Leuven ends.